England cricketer David Willey has announced his retirement from international cricket at the age of 33. The decision comes after the bowler was left out of England’s World Cup squad and did not receive a new deal from the English Cricket Board. Willey is the only member of England’s current World Cup squad to be left out.
Willey’s retirement has sparked controversy, with former England captain Michael Vaughan calling the treatment of Willey “disgraceful”. Vaughan criticized the England Cricket Board for not giving Willey a new contract and leaving him out of the World Cup squad. Willey, who has played for England in all three formats of the game, expressed deep regret at his decision to retire from international cricket.
Willey’s retirement marks the end of a successful international career that saw him take 92 wickets in 49 one-day internationals for England. He also played in 28 T20 internationals and 5 test matches for his country. Despite his achievements, Willey’s retirement has been overshadowed by controversy, with many cricket fans and commentators expressing disappointment at the way he was treated by the England Cricket Board.
David Willey’s Cricket Career
David Willey is an English cricketer who announced his retirement from international cricket after the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup. He had a successful career as an all-rounder, known for his left-arm medium-fast bowling and aggressive batting style.
Early Years
David Willey was born on February 28, 1990, in Northamptonshire, England. He grew up in a family of cricket enthusiasts, with his father, Peter Willey, being a former English cricketer and umpire. Willey started playing cricket at a young age and made his debut for Northamptonshire in 2009.
International Career
Willey made his international debut for England in May 2015, playing against Ireland in a One Day International (ODI) match. He went on to play for England in various formats, including ODIs, Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is), and Test matches.
Willey played a crucial role in England’s successful campaign in the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup, where they won the tournament for the first time in their history. He took 10 wickets in the tournament, including three in the final against New Zealand.
However, Willey missed out on a central contract from the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) in 2023, which led to his retirement from international cricket. He expressed his disappointment with the decision, calling it “disgraceful” and “a slap in the face.”
Despite his retirement from international cricket, Willey continues to play domestic cricket for Yorkshire. He remains a popular figure among cricket fans, known for his hard-hitting batting and accurate bowling.
Retirement Announcement and Reaction
Retirement Reasons
David Willey, a left-arm seamer for England, has announced his retirement from international cricket at the age of 33. The cricketer made the announcement after he was not included in the list of players who received central contracts from the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) for the upcoming year.
Willey expressed his disappointment with the ECB’s decision, stating that he felt he had been “constantly asked to prove himself” with the England team. He also cited his desire to spend more time with his family as a reason for his retirement.
Response from Cricket World
Former England captain Michael Vaughan has criticized the ECB’s treatment of Willey, calling it “disgraceful.” He stated that Willey had been a “valuable member” of the team and deserved to be offered a central contract.
Willey’s announcement has also received reactions from other members of the cricket community. Indian cricketer Yuvraj Singh, who retired from international cricket in 2019, expressed his support for Willey on social media, stating that he had “always been a fan” of the English seamer.
Overall, Willey’s retirement has been met with disappointment from fans and fellow cricketers alike. Many have praised his contributions to the England team and expressed their hope that he will continue to play cricket at the domestic level.
